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Bovine tuberculosis causing ‘heartache and stress’
In 2015 the Welsh government took the decision to suspend its badger vaccination programm. 

Farmers give evidence to Welsh Assembly

Farmers in Wales are suffering heartache and stress as a result of bovine tuberculosis, the Welsh Assembly’s Environment and Rural Affairs committee has heard.

According to Farmers Weekly, NFU Cymru president Stephen James said that bovine TB ‘continues to cause untold heartache and stress to cattle farmers across Wales’.

Giving evidence at the Senedd on Thursday (8 December), Mr James added that the disease was putting ‘emotional and financial strain’ on the farmers and their families.

In 2015, the Welsh government took the decision to suspend its badger vaccination programme due to a shortage of the BCG vaccine.

Since then, NFU Cymru has been calling on the Welsh Government to implement a TB eradication strategy to eliminate the disease from both wildlife and cattle.

After the meeting, Mr James told Farmers Weekly that while cattle farmers are doing their bit to tackle bTB, the government should be doing more to remove the disease from badger populations.

“We made it clear that future TB eradication measures implemented by the Welsh government should be based on sound evidence and science-based policy decision-making and that all sources of the disease must be tackled effectively if we’re ever to have any chance of eradicating bovine TB in Wales,” he said.

In November, figures published Defra revealed that the number of bTB cattle slaughtering in Wales had risen by 34 per cent.

In the 12 months to August 2016, a total of 9,630 cattle were slaughtered, compared to 7,178 in the year before. 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.